Burna Boy, the Nigerian Afro-fusion artist, has secured a coveted spot on TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024.
This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals who have left an incredible mark on the world through their art, activism, and cultural impact.
Angelique Kidjo, Grammy-winning musician, wrote Burna’s tribute on the Time’s website.
She said: “Ten years ago, when young African musicians sought advice, I would tell them, “You don’t need to mimic American artists! The world needs the amazing richness and beauty of our traditional African music and our culture. This land is where most of modern music comes from. This source of inspiration is inexhaustible. Its freshness and elegance will get the world’s attention for sure.”
In her heartfelt tribute, the legendary Beninese singer praised his unwavering dedication to his roots.
She wrote, “Burna Boy has made that vision a global reality. His music draws from the rich well of Nigerian folk traditions, and he carries the torch lit by Fela Kuti. He is history in the making.”
Inspired by the fantastic drums of Nigerian folk music and steeped in the craft of great African singer-songwriters, Burna Boy follows in the footsteps of the legendary Fela Kuti—an internationally celebrated Afrobeats artist and activist.
His deeply original flow and signature groove have conquered the world, achieving an impressive series of firsts:
1. In 2023, he became the first African artist to sell out a U.S. stadium.
2. In 2024, he made history as the first Afrobeats artist to perform at the Grammys.
Some of his greatest accomplishments include his 2021 Grammy win for Best Global Music Album with “Twice As Tall” which was a historic moment for Nigerian and African music.
In 2024, he also received a record-breaking four Grammy nominations for “Best Global Song Performance,” “Best African Song Performance,” “Best Global Album,” and “Best Melodic Rap Performance.”
